Text Annotation A Close Reading Strategy for Better Comprehension

Text Annotation by Teachers

What is Text Annotation? While reading, students should mark the pages for Important information Text meaning or key details Ideas and questions

What About Highlighters? Students often think text annotation simply involves highlighting almost every word in a text.

What About Highlighting? Harvard University puts incoming students on notice about the effectiveness of highlighting…

Highlighting Dilutes Comprehension “First of all, throw away the highlighter in favor of a pen or pencil. Highlighting can actually distract you from the business of learning and dilute your comprehension ” (2005).

Improves Comprehension Note-taking activities have a positive impact on reading comprehension Twenty-one of twenty-three studies (91%) showed a positive outcome

Using different annotation styles helps students discover what works for them. It’s important to understand different ways to annotate texts while they read. Over time, the students will gravitate to those that fit their individual needs best.

Annotation Styles and Strategies Bracket [important] passages

Annotation Styles and Strategies Connect related ideas with lines Underline important ideas/details

Annotation Styles and Strategies Outline main ideas in margin and/or Write margin notes (comments and questions)

Annotation Styles and Strategies Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis Circle unfamiliar vocabulary

Annotation Styles and Strategies Place asterisks or exclamation points next to unusual or surprising details ******** ********

Annotation Styles and Strategies Use symbols, drawings, and small drawings(text coding) to highlight important details When using text coding, consistency is important.

Annotation Styles and Strategies Can’t write in books? Label with sticky notes— Students can use all the same strategies by placing their annotations on sticky notes on the pages of their books. Copy important sections from text (doesn’t break copyright if used for educational purposes)

Challenges and Tips

Where do I find the resources? Pioneer Library online—the lexile level (reading difficulty) is available for every article Google—it really is your friend! Type in the topic and you will find many informational articles Online newspaper sites Textbooks